Extramedullary haematopoiesis causing spinal cord compression: A rare presentation with excellent outcome

• Main Authors: Talapatra Kaustav, Nemade Bhushan, Siddha Manish, Muckaden Mary, Laskar Siddhartha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2007-01-01
• Series: Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology
• Subjects: Extramedullary haematopoiesis; radiotherapy; spinal cord compression
• Online Access: http://www.annalsofian.org/article.asp?issn=0972-2327;year=2007;volume=10;issue=2;spage=115;epage=117;aulast=Talapatra

Extramedullary haematopoiesis (EMH) as a cause of spinal cord compression in patients with thalassaemia major is very rare. Treatment of EMH includes the use of radiotherapy, hypertransfusion, laminectomy and chemotherapy in the form of hydroxyurea We report a presentation of progressive paraparesis due to a sacral mass in a 7 year old child undergoing repeated blood transfusions for thalassaemia major who had a dramatic improvement in symptoms after radiotherapy. A standard recommendation regarding the radiation dose required is not available but a dose of 20Gy delivered over 10 fractions seems to be effective and well tolerated.